NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Glamour, generosity and a mission rooted in healing will collide in Music City as The Aloe Family prepares to host its ninth annual Masquerade Gala on Friday, March 6. Tickets are still available.
The highly anticipated event has become a staple in Nashville’s philanthropic and social calendar, drawing hundreds of guests, corporate sponsors, celebrity appearances and community leaders, all united in support of under-resourced families locally and internationally.
At the heart of it all is Natalie Firkser, Founder and Director of The Aloe Family, who continues to expand the Aloe Family reach year after year.
“The Aloe Family is a nonprofit that is based locally here in Nashville and also internationally in Mexico and Columbia,” Firkser said. “We serve in three main areas, which is education, job skills training, and then an area that we call Hope and Healing.”
A Mission Worth Celebrating
While the gala may sparkle, its purpose is grounded in daily impact all-year-round.
Firkser explains that in Nashville alone, the organization provides fresh, free groceries to approximately 275 individuals every week, along with access to therapy, trauma-informed care, community events and resource coordination.
“We provide wraparound services to under- resourced families in need,” she said. “And the goal is long-term relationships that push people towards self-sufficiency.”
The Masquerade Gala serves as the nonprofit’s largest annual fundraiser, bringing the city together in celebration while raising critical funds and awareness.
“We celebrate the art and the culture of Music City while also raising money and awareness for people in need,” she added.
The Meaning Behind “The Aloe Family”
The organization’s name carries symbolic weight tied directly to one of its international sites.
“One of our sites in Mexico is located in the desert,” Firkser said. “There’s nothing green there except for cactuses and aloe plants. It can go months and months without raining, and even just with a little bit of water, the aloe plant can grow and become huge,” she exclaimed. “When you break the aloe plant open, there’s healing properties on the inside.”
For Firkser, that was powerful.
“It’s a metaphor for the individuals we serve that with just a little bit of resource, we can grow despite the challenging circumstances that we’re placed in,” she added.
What to Expect at This Year’s Gala
Now in its ninth year, the Masquerade Gala continues to evolve.
The event will start with a VIP dinner for those who make this event possible. From corporate sponsors to community leaders, they will come together to focus on the mission at hand.
Following the VIP dinner, guests will step onto the red carpet at 6:30 p.m., just ahead of general admission doors opening.
Celebrity names include Frank Ray, Becca Bowen, Jordan Mallory, Miss Tennessee’s Madison Kunst, as well as several different DJs, NFL players, Bachelor contestants and more.
The evening will also feature live performances, including dancers and a folklore performance, plus a new addition: an art gallery.
“We’ve got all kinds of different creative and influential people coming together for the night,” Firkser shared.
With a masquerade theme, fashion is part of the fun.
“Yes, so this is a dress up, glam up, sparkle event,” Firkser said.
Men are also encouraged to get creative too.
She adds, “This is the time you can be creative and fun in your outfit all you want.”
A Growing Impact
Each year, the event continues to expand in both attendance and fundraising.
In the past years, the Masqueeade Gala has brought in around $50,000.
“We’re hoping to raise a little bit more this year, our goals are really high,” she admitted.
The gala typically welcomes between 500 and 600 guests, and Firkser said it’s a win-win kind of night.
“It’s not just about having a fun party, but really highlighting individuals doing good things in the community while raising money.”
For the second year, the event will also host the Music City Impact Awards.
“We’ve had over 5000 votes, so we’re excited to honor 3 individuals in the community who have gone above and beyond to make an impact,” she added.
Community Support Makes It Possible
Sponsors play a vital role in ensuring donations go directly to those served.
“We’re so thankful for our sponsors. We really couldn’t do it without them,” Firkser said. “Something that’s so special is because of our sponsors, 100 percent of those donations go directly to serve the individuals that are participants in our programs.”
This year’s sponsors include Glick Roofing, Black Sheep Tequila, Pinnacle, Vanderbilt and HCA and so many others.
While the gala is the nonprofit’s largest public-facing event, the need for support extends far beyond one night.
“We actually really heavily rely on volunteers,” Firkser said. “It takes 93 volunteers just in our Nashville site alone.”
The organization also offers international volunteer trips.
“You can go for a week and volunteer to participate in the good work being done in Mexico or in Colombia.”
Financial partnerships are also welcomed.
Glamour Meets Purpose
With a masquerade theme, fashion is part of the fun.
“Yes, so this is a dress up, glam up, sparkle event,” Firkser said. “So, um, girls oftentimes rent their dresses from the showroom. They’re another one of our sponsors and we love them. Um, but, So girls usually wear like gowns. So it’s think prom, but for adults.”
Men are encouraged to get creative.
“And then guys, we’ve seen guys get creative. So we see some guys in Texas, some guys in suits. We’ve also seen some really fun suits, like colorful, colorful ones, bow ties, you know, things like that.”
She adds, “So it’s a time to, you know, it’s celebrating music city, our diversity, our creativity. So you can be creative and fun in your outfit as well.”
More Than a Party
For Firkser, the true impact of the evening goes beyond red carpets and performances.
“I think this event attracts a lot of people who are coming for a good time, but when they’re there, they really start to understand the mission and the purpose behind it,” she said. “Our hope is that they walk away knowing that they really made it a difference.”
As Nashville prepares to gather once again behind masks and gowns, The Aloe Family hopes guests leave with something deeper than a glamorous night out, a renewed commitment to helping families grow, heal and thrive.
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